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Apedale Valley Light Railway Grand Opening Weekend

The official opening of the AVLR took place on the 18th and 19th September 2010. The ceremony was performed by Sir James Hawley, the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire with Councillor Mrs Ann Heames, the Mayor of Newcastle also present. The weekend was a huge success for everyone with over 1000 visitors enjoying the many attraction.

The museum was busy all day

Museum guides were on hand to answer questions

Paddy, a vertical boiler 0-4-0 engine. This is a modern build in the style of De Winton & Co of Caernarfon

Many locos from the MRT’s collection were being run

The High Peak Tramway model layout on display

Standing room only in the Aurora North locomotive shed

Detail of the High Peak Tranway layout

One of the military displays

The Front is the other way mate!

Edward Sholto. Formerly from Penrhyn Quarry, this Hunslet ended up in Canada before being brought back recently for restoration.

Paddy in action

Paddy being coupled to carriages full of passengers

MRT members demonstrating thier shunting skills

Stanhope being topped up before taking another train load of visitors

A close up of the Barrowfleet 009 scale layout

Topping up a minature traction engine

The Aurora North Shed and sidings

Enthusiasts enjoying the event from the footpath.

Waiting for the train in front of the partially completed railway station

Stanhope, built locally by Kerr Stuart of Stoke-on-trent in 1917.

Some of the Vintage Cars on display

Miners from Monument Pit in the Forest of Dean paid us a visit.

Phil Robinson, the MRT chairman, kicks off the opening ceremony

Sir James Hawley, Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire

Sir James Hawley, on the footplate of Stanhope

Stanhope, with Sir James Hawley at the controls breaks through a banner to mark the opening

Sir James Hawley

Sir James Hawley and the Mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Councillor Mrs Ann Heames with the locomotive, Stanhope

Sir James Hawley after unveiling a plaque to mark the opening and the Mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Vintage Motorcycles with a side car

Sir James Hawley and guests also took the oportunity to visit our museum and mine, guided by Paul Deakin